John Stuart

James Edward Stuart (23 December 1775 - 27 January 1849) was the son of Charles Edward Stuart, the Jacobite pretender to the British throne, and Princess Louise of Stolberg-Gedern.

James Stuart was born in Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, on 23 December 1775 to Charles Edward Stuart and Princess Louise of Stolberg-Gedern. Louise had hoped giving birth to a legitimate heir would finally put an end to her husband’s abuse, which had only gotten worse as a result of his alcoholism. Despite her optimism, Charles’ mistreatment continued until their separation in 1780.

After his parents’ separation in 1780, James, along with his mother, sought refuge in a convent. The reason why he accompanied her was that she believed his father was a harmful influence on him. After a a short period of time, the two fled to Rome and would reside there for three years.

Since he was often by his mother’s side, James’ relationship with his father had been strained by the time of his death in January 1788. Around the same time, him and his mother moved to Paris, along with her new partner, Count Vittorio Alfieri.

After the Insurrection of 10 August 1792, the three fled Paris in order to evade capture by republican authorities. They left France by boarding a merchant ship headed towards Virginia.

He married a woman and had seven children: